Life is when a birth happens.

How does a Doula even keep friendships and family life alive with such a tiring schedule? Is meeting new moms (and babies) enough to keep socially charged?

These and many more questions I shall as NEXT EPISODE. Because this one had to be postponed due to (honestly sort of expected but unfortunately timed haha) circumstances.

Hopefully we will hear all about this birth, too when our guest will be on my couch. Fingers crossed!!

“Sweden”.

What comes to mind is cold, beauty, precision, high tech, nature.

One of these holds true for Eileen’s story. It was cold (-11 celsius). The rest? - not so much.

You will be surprised to hear that baby’s heartbeat is monitored for large parts with a wooden Pinard Horn. That baby’s size is not calculated via ultrasound but by measuring the belly. That she didn’t see a gynecologist even once in her entire pregnancy. It may sound appealing to have such a low touch approach. No labour induction before 42 weeks. No medical interventions. A midwife-run system. Government-funded hypnobirthing courses. It did for Eileen. Until she was on the bathroom floor surrounded by towels and only a husband who had prepared for birth by reading Penny Sinkim’s “The Birth Partner” but did not actually imagine he would become the person indeed birthing the baby. So far, so traumatic. Haha.

Eileen’s gallow’s humour will make this episode entertaining but boy, or rather girl, just when you think it is all over, it isn’t. It’s a unique story in a unique setting (although she assured me that extreme and frightening stories like these are “more common than not”) which is highly unlikely to happen to you. But nonetheless, it’s always worth being prepared and maybe also appreciating the situation you are in!

When you think about the so-called “First World”, think again. This episode isn’t for the faint-hearted.Now go and make yourself a sandwich (listen at timestamp to find out why I am writing this here) and tune in.

Note: We had audio issues during the recording of this episode. I apologize and recommend you listen to it with headphones and turn on the subtitles.

Books mentioned in this episode are:

Penny Sinkim: The Birth PartnerKatharine Grave: The Hypnobirthing book

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. The makers of this podcast are not doctors. Information shared, even if medically founded, is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Mahreen Alam.

Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw)

After weeks of separation, Christina’s husband finally joined her. It was a long flight and they were just sitting down to catch their breath. Just then, her water broke. As expected from an Austrian baby, Christina’s baby started her way out of the womb that very moment when all pieces had fallen into place. Of course this sounds very funny in hindsight. 

This episode is all about the gift of hindsight and how lovely it can be to document the ups and down, no matter how tired you are. 

And we also touch on the 3 German Ps: Preparation, Planning, Process. Hahaha. 

Who would have thought that you can implement these in pregnancy in birth as well? Bet you, the Austrian medical and social system has made sure that you don’t miss a blink of your baby’s development and that you are at your best possible preparedness for this tumultuous journey.And, if you are lucky, the mayor might even hand delivery a gift basket to your bed. 

We sat down in an unusual setting this time due to some reasons and this allowed us to beautifully lay out ALL the papers and pamphlets and helpful materials which were available to Christina before and after her birth.Seeing this, I finally understood why she is so chilled out about pregnancy and birthing.

It’s heartwarming and inspiring to see how much of maternal health can be taken care of if the medical system is cued in correctly. 

Let’s hope for a world where all mothers receive this kind of assistance! <3 

Things to keep for yourself and your future child:

• The way you announced your pregnancy to your partner

• Baby book

• Vaccination booklet

• Growth chart

• Routine in the first few months with handdrawn sketches

  
  

  One book which Christina recommends to read ( 1st year onwards as it's relevant for your parenting journey):

  Kim John Payne: The Soul of Disciplin e

  
  

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. The makers of this podcast are not doctors. Information shared, even if medically founded, is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Mahreen Alam.

Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw)

Before having her first child, Darshana had already been running a pre-school for 10 years. Did all this experience help her in raising a toddler? You will find out in this episode!Then, when she had just closed the chapter of having more children, she unexpectedly became pregnant again. A business woman with a 5-year old who was finally able to be somewhat independent, she had to go back to diapers and breastfeeding while also trying to grow her school and keep other parents happy.

What decisions did she take to ensure her sanity? How does she manage to do justice to her newborn? And how did her pregnancy impact her daughter who had many - surprisingly practical (!) questions?Topics covered in this episode are:

• Breastfeeding

• Weight management

• Brainfog

• Working mothers

• Commuting with a baby

• Sibling relationships

We had a small power outage while recording this episode, so it’s a little shorter than usual but packed with information (including a French Onion Soup Recipe for toddlers!! Details below).I’m sure this episode will make you chuckle and relate. Do share with any teacher you may know as well (even if they have grown children, I’m sure they’ll remember and relate)

There are no literary suggestions in this episode, because after 2 kids, Darshana believes in just making sure that you are happy is key to everything. (That’s basically a teacher telling you to not read anything! Embrace it!)

FRENCH ONION SOUP:

Ingredients -

1 small onion

Homemade vegetable stock

Flour

Garlic

Bay leaf

Thyme and pepper ( optional )

Recipe

Add finely chopped garlic pods and sauté in butter

Then add the onion and sauté till golden brown

Add the flour and mix till it’s brown ( but be careful to not burn it or make it too lumpy)

Add the vegetable stock

Let it boil well and then add pepper and thyme seasoning ( optional )

Note - vegetable stock can be made with vegetables of your choice - I used to keep it made and use it over 2-3 days in different things.

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. The makers of this podcast are not doctors. Information shared, even if medically founded, is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Mahreen.

Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw)

Pregnancy as the ultimate “body experience”, that’s one of the philosophical gems from this week’s very cheerful episode with Kate.

Spoiler: We did not have a live birth on this episode!

At 8 months pregnant, Kate has been through all the ups and downs of pregnancy.

But you wouldn’t think it because her joy is contagious. 

Her first visit to the doctor post pregnancy test could have set her off on a traumatic start but she used this as a stepping stone to plunge herself into the pregnancy journey with full faith, surrendering to whatever was thrown at her and that’s the secret to her joy! 

As a scientist fascinated with animal birth documentaries since childhood and now a OneHealth researcher, she is quirky and sometimes just hilarious. 

This episode is full of practical tips, philosophical insights and many laughs. 

She’s the kind of pick-me-up you might need just now wherever you are in your pregnancy!

Here are 2 books which Kate found fitted her approach to pregnancy:

Emily Oster: CribsheetWhy: It helped with feeling that there are many approaches to early parenting but not all are evidence-based so kinda “do what works for you”-vibes

Neha Ruch: Power Pause

Why: For navigating career pauses or transitions while building a family 

And the Hypnobirthing method we referred to in the episode is:

Marie Mongan: Hypnobirthing

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. The makers of this podcast are not doctors. Information shared, even if medically founded, is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Keyuri Bhogale.
Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw)

Trigger Warning: Still birth, loss of pregnancy. 

Rani’s baby suddenly passed away in her womb - very close to his actual due date. 

How did she cope with that? How did that even happen, to a healthy 31 year-old with no medical preconditions? 

Being a doctor, Rani had the practical-mindedness to move through this period of her motherhood journey with a clarity most of us don’t have. I hope that women who had to live through a similar experience can hold onto her story and the information she shares as a straw of hope. I’m deeply deeply grateful to Rani for bearing such vulnerability, for being so open and reliving this period of her life with such bravery.

This episode was made for all those who have suffered the loss of a baby or who know someone who has. While its premise is tragic, it is really full of hope and many many practical tips!

It is also a reminder of how incredibly important those health checkups are and even if they feel tedious, don’t miss them. And if you feel worried about something, ask your doctor to explain more and maybe even an additional test. 

One day I really want to meet her ob-gyn who turned this situation around for her (and him) by staying calm and positive even after this unexpected loss and insisting on the medically right thing even though it was physically and emotionally incredibly hard for her. 

Eventually she had another, healthy, happy baby <3 

We might do another episode on that journey which is full of twists and turns around medical practice and outlooks around the world. 

Until then:

Here is more information on Placental Abruption:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482335/

https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/antenatal-complications/placental-abruption-abruptio-placentae

https://www.ajog.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0002-9378%2822%2900535-X

Articles, books, and tips which helped her cope with the loss of her baby:

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/why-we-need-to-talk-about-losing-a-baby

Martha Whitmore Hickman: Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief

Sherokee Ilse: Empty Arms: Coping With Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death

Sherokee Ilse, Tim Nelson: Couple Communication After a Baby Dies: Differing Perspectives

She also recommends finding a mommy group for loss helps, reaching out to the hospital/obgyn- they may know of support groups

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. The makers of this podcast are are not doctors. Information shared, even if medically founded, is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Keyuri Bhogale.

Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw) 

International dancer and choreographer, Leah and I cover pretty much everything a mother-to-be would have on her mind:

From Emergency C-Section to the anxiety of your water breaking in public and surviving 48 hours of labour.

And how/why she discovered the importance of:

- pelvic floor therapy (a few accidents too late - but better late than never!),

- the struggle of finding the correct physio to help her fix diastasis recti (yes, even people who exercise for a living can’t do it by themselves!),

- the muscles loss and hyperflexibility (overdoing your asanas might not be a good idea!),

- the post pregnancy hormone drop,

- everlasting PMS

- and bringing your newborns to work. 

We also take the time out to express our gratitude to our breasts, they are amazing. And there are some handy tips on how to breastfeed where and in which position depending on your size!

These are Leah’s favourite resources:

https://www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer

https://www.instagram.com/thebellemethod

https://www.birthingfromwithin.com/

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. We are not doctors. Information shared is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Keyuri Bhogale.

Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw)

Spirit babies are believed to be spirits, souls floating around their potential mothers/families waiting for an opportunity to be born.

IVF is a medical procedure where an egg is removed from the woman's ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a lab. If successful, the embryo is then returned to the woman's womb to grow and develop.

While one method seems to involve unwavering belief, the other means sustained commitment to heavy hormonal treatment.

Intense!

Emily has experienced BOTH. Mother of 2 children (conceived and adopted) at age 40+, her journey to become a mother has been a piece of work!

Hence this episode covers a whole spectrum of topics from alternative medicine such as ‘functional medicine’ and ‘homeopathy’ to medium-ship and the difference between rainbow babies and indigo babies to very scientific subjects such as ‘geriatric pregnancies’, information about embryo harvesting and finding the right gynac for your IVF procedure.

Honestly by the end of it, I felt that if medicine can already do all these incredible unimaginable things, it’s not so far-fetched that spirit babies do exist as well. The world seems full of possibilities and we are knowing more and more with every passing day.

This is an intense episode of contradictions (or maybe not!)

No matter who you are, I guarantee you, you will learn something new today!

Books worth a read if you are interested in the topic:

Walter Makichen: Spirit Babies - How to Communicate with the Child you are meant to have

Emily mentions a few resources which she would like to share here:

https://vibrationalchild.com/

https://irmabattig.com/

https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine

https://www.elainejai.com/

https://www.emilythemedium.com/ (that’s a different Emily, not the podcast guest ;) )

A general note: This podcast is based on personal experiences by mothers. We are not doctors. Information shared is purely personal. For medical questions, we urge you to speak to your physician and/or relevant medical professional.

This episode was produced by Harkat Studios and edited by Keyuri Bhogale.

Intro music by Akoth Jumadi (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mIqHg8uP8KnyYo?si=ZzNUZAtTRFOffvz8BDDTYw)

Tandem Breastfeeding, VBAC, and Cultural Parenting Differences – A Deep Dive with KristinA rollercoaster of emotions and insights! Kristin, a mom of two under two, takes us through the wild ride of parenting young children. But what does that really mean?💡 Key topics we explore in this episode:Tandem Breastfeeding – Can you nurse two babies of different ages and sizes at the same time? How does it work?Postpartum Recovery – How quickly can your body truly bounce back after childbirth?VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) – Is a vaginal birth possible after a C-section? What are the risks and benefits?Co-Sleeping Pros & Cons – Should you co-sleep with your baby? What do experts and parents say?Hypnobirthing in Real Life – What is hypnobirthing, and does it actually help during labor?Cultural Parenting Differences & Handling JudgmentKristin, a well-traveled mom, opens Pandora’s box of cultural differences in parenting. Wherever you go, society has a lot to say about how you raise your kids. So, HOW CAN YOU CONFIDENTLY MAKE YOUR OWN PARENTING CHOICES? (Seriously, don’t you feel like screaming sometimes?!)Must-Read Parenting Books We Discussed 📚Kristin has done her homework! These books shaped her parenting journey:📖 Hunt, Gather, Parent – Michaeleen Doucleff📖 Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy – Angela Garbes📖 The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth – Genevieve Howland📖 Birthing from Within: An Extraordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation – Pam EnglandA Quick Note:This podcast is based on personal motherhood experiences and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a healthcare professional for any medical concerns.🎧 Produced by: Harkat Studios🎛️ Edited by: Keyuri Bhogale🎶 Intro Music by: Akoth Jumadi(https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yzpHN73mI...)